Mozilla Ships Firefox 151 With PDF Merging and Stronger Fingerprinting Curbs

4 articles · Updated · linuxiac.com · May 19

Firefox 151 adds built-in PDF merging, letting users combine files inside the browser instead of using separate apps or online services.
Linux and macOS users also get local profile backups with cross-platform restore, while extensions and themes can be restored after a profile directory is moved.
Privacy changes tighten Standard Enhanced Tracking Protection against fingerprinting, expand local-network access prompts to all users, and add a control to clear the current private session without closing Firefox.
Mozilla also updated platform behavior across devices: Windows geolocation now follows OS permissions, macOS gets native HTML select menus, and Android adds a toolbar swipe for tab lists plus AI Controls settings.
For developers, the release adds Web Serial, Document Picture-in-Picture, and Fullscreen Keyboard Lock APIs; Windows and macOS updates roll out over the next few days, with Linux packages to follow.

Firefox now supports hardware APIs it once opposed. What does this shift reveal about the future of the open web?

Can Firefox's new privacy-focused features truly challenge the market dominance of data-hungry browsers like Chrome?

As AI is integrated into browsers, is Mozilla's cautious approach a viable alternative to Google's aggressive AI push?